mother's day 2013

So whew. I've been a crazy woman the last two weeks. School has ended {Halleluyer!} and that final week is a blur! I've shot 6 photography sessions in the last 9 days. Again, blur blur blur. And so I'm finally sitting down for some "me" time at the Mac.

Mother's Day was a bit unorthodox for us but not in a bad way. We ended up spending most of the day in transit to a hospital in the big city to visit some friends whose newborn baby girl had been put in the NICU. It was their first baby and during church that morning, I just kept thinking and praying for them and decided we should just head down and hug their necks. So that's what we did...after stopping at McDonald's for some fine Mother's Day cuisine.

Hey, I told you it was a bit unorthodox. But who cares!?!

Before that, we had the blessing and privilege of dedicating our little prince to the Lord. In our church family, the child dedication is a twofold covenant. Parents promise before their church body to raise their child{ren} in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. The Church promises to hold the parents accountable for that task as well as to come alongside and encourage and provide ways to enable parents to succeed in their calling to raise their children in this way. It's not an ordinance, like baptism or the Lord's Supper. But it is a covenant and one we take seriously.

Gabe, though looking dapper as could be, was a little antsy. Not fussy. Just antsy during the dedication. He was presented with a little Bible and after a charge to both the parents and the Church body by our pastor, we prayed and then we were off to the children's floor so Gabe could play and be with other children instead of in service with us.

Once we were home, I told Jase that I wanted to snap a few pics of me with the kids...so funny. He totally knew I would say that and we headed to the backyard to snag some. Sweet man ended up taking the best picture of the kiddos and I. I need to frame it. Perfect moment in time.

I love, love, love these babies of ours. 

Four. 

Four birdies in our nest. I don't even like birds. At all. But that phrase comes to mind all the time with my children. I want them close to me. I wanna keep them all tucked in around me. To take care of them and love them and then to watch them fly away someday when they are ready. Give 'em roots, give 'em wings...right?

We are watering in those roots now. Our hope is that they will run deep and be sure and strong.